Insecurity

Manhattan, New York City: 23:47pm, December 4th, 2010

I wait within the abandoned apartment, I hold my burner hand in as I wait for my guests. I feel the tortured soul of Frank Castle as he steps into the light. "What do you want, Rider?" He growls in his usual annoyed tone. I chuckle while looking at him. "Good to see you too, Castle. How've you been?" I ask as he narrows his eyes at me. He clenches the pistol that he has as I raise an eyebrow. "Come on, Frank, put that away. I'll have to blind, deaf, paralyzed and without a demonic spirit for you to be a threat." I say jokingly as a chuckle is heard. We both look and see my second and final guest show himself. "You got a mouth on you kid...but you're not wrong. Put it away." Blade says to me and Castle respectfully. "Who the fuck are you?" Castle says as he backs up. "Relax Castle. This is my friend, Blade. Vampire hunter. Blade, this is Frank Castle, the Punisher." I say welcoming as I gesture to both of them, while pointing to the other. "Vampires? Seriously?" Castle questions as Blade stares back at him, he pulls the bag from his shoulder and pulls out a charred skull. The skull has very prominent fangs where the canines and incisors should be. "Elder?" I ask him as he nods. Castle stares shocked at the skull before holstering his gun. "Alright you have my attention. Now what do you want?" He says as she sits across from me as Blade puts the skull away before sitting down as well.

I sigh as I lean forward. "I called you both here because, in a few weeks...I'm going to be taken and made to do things that I don't want to do. I am asking for help in keeping the collateral to a minimum." I say as they both stare at me. "Taken? By who?" "And to do what?" Blade and Frank say respectfully as I sigh. "Recently, Lilith, the Mother of All Demons, broke free of her imprisonment and is now walking free amongst mankind. She is gathering her forces, her plans...I don't know yet. And for what I'll be doing...well, anything she forces me too." I say as I take out pictures of ancient depictions of Lilith, as well as pictures from the neighbouring warehouse from when she and her children beat the shit out of me. Frank takes the photos and matches them, Blade gazes at the warehouse picture as he focuses on the tall woman on the centre of the frame. "Is this her?" He says while pointing to the figure. I nod my head. "This is ridiculous. First vampires. Now demons? You honestly expect me to believe this shit?" Frank says as he tosses the photos across the table. "Frank, you've seen the Ghost Rider for yourself and Blade just showed you a charred skull of a vampire. A species that you thought make-believe not 10 minutes ago. Can you honestly sit there and say, even with the evidence in front of you, that you don't believe in demons?" I say to him with a knowing smile as he leans back against the chair on defeat. He knows that his argument is trash, especially since Blade is here as proof for the impossible to be possible.

"So what do you want us to do? Because I don't know about you but an army of demons is a little above my line of work." Blade says as I nod. "You two aren't the only ones that know about this. One other does and she has my full trust, but what I do want you to do is help me out with a group of people that I know can help." I say to both of them as they lean forward. "For the last half year, I've been a part of a covert team of young heroes under the watch of the Justice League. We have been combating a shadowy organisation known as the Light that has recently made allies of Lilith. What I hope, is that the two of you can help these heroes when the time comes." I say as Frank gets up angrily as he walks to the door. "I'm not helping any heroes. I'm done here." He says with venom as he walks past me. "Frank, you know that if the worst case scenario comes then a lot of people are going to die. Mothers, sons, daughters...fathers. Do you want the knowledge of dead children on your conscience when you know you could have done something to prevent it?" I say to him as he stops before the door. I see Blade sitting in his seat, leaning back as he watches with curiosity. I hear a huff as Frank walks back over and sits back down. "I'm not babysitting for you." He says with a growl as I laugh. "I would never ask you too. What I am asking is for you to help out when needed. The team is strong and trustworthy, but they don't have the killer instinct that the two of you have...and if worse comes to worse...they need you two to help them."

I watch their reactions. Blade is complementing while Frank is huffing and shaking his head. Blade stands as he faces me. "You helped me with the vampires a while back. It's time I returned the favor." He says as he nods his head to me. I nod back gratefully for his help. We both stare at Frank who shakes his leg in ponder. He huffs and holds out his hand. I smile and shake it. "This is the only time that I'm helping you. After that...we're done." He says as I nod in agreement. I take out new burners as I pass them to their new owners. "These burners have a single number. When you get the call, it will automatically connect to my burner and the other burner, making a three way call. When this number rings, it won't be from me but from a member of the team. They should have all the information that you two have heard tonight. If all goes right then they'll give you access to our base as well as directions to a meet point. Keep these on you at all times, I don't know when it'll go down so be ready." I say as they take the phones and nod. "Thank you...both of you." I say to them as they nod their heads and head out of the building. I sit at the table in silence and think about everything. Soon, very soon...things are going to change...I hope that the outcome is less than what I fear it to be.

Mount Justice: 6:56pm, December 5th, 2010

The team, besides Artemis and Robin, are gathered in the zeta hanger as Green Arrow and Roy step out of the zeta. "So what's up? More bitching?" I say as I glare at Roy. He stares right back with an equal glare. "Team...Roy has been chosen to join the League. But I wanted him to set an example, so he is here to join the Team before entering the League." Green Arrow says to the joy of Wally and Kaldur but reservations from Connor, M'gann and Zatanna. And total refusal from me and Black Bolt. "Since when does the League decide who joins?" I say as everyone turns to me. "What do you mean?" "Matt, it's Roy. We can trust him." Green Arrow and Wally say as I scoff. "You sure about that? All I've seen from him is disrespect, disobedience and an arrogant attitude. I don't trust him to watch my back and to answer your question, Arrow...the League might supervise us but everything about team membership comes down to a team discussion and vote. And last time I checked, we never had a discussion about Roy and I can tell you now, he doesn't have my vote." I say to the shock of Wally and Kaldur. "It's a good thing that you're not in charge then." Roy says arrogantly as Black Bolt signs next to me. Everyone but Arrow and Roy follow. "What did he say?" Roy asks as I turn to him. "We already have an archer. I know her and trust her. I don't know you and by how you just spoke to my friend and what he has told me about you, I don't like you very much. So turn around, walk out of this cave and fuck off." I translate as Roy steps forward angrily to Blake. "You wanna go, you damn mute." He says with venom as Blake's fork glows as Roy clenches his fist. "That's enough! Roy is here at my invitation. And that's the end of it." Green Arrow says as he steps in between the archer and the meta human powerhouse.

"Your invitation?" I question Arrow as he sighs. "Look...I know that there is tension here but I want Roy to be prepared before he joins the League. So I'm asking you, can you allow me this?" He asks as Kaldur steps forward. "He is welcome...but if anyone starts trouble, then they'll answer to Canary with training and Batman for the lecture." Kaldur threatens which I nod too. Blake nods as well, I notice Roy reluctantly nod but nonetheless, does. "Recongise. Artemis. B-08." The zeta says as Artemis walks out of the zeta, her eyes widened at spotting Roy. "Artemis...meet your new teammate." Green Arrow says joyously, like the last two minutes of arguing didn't happen. "Sure... team needed a real archer." She says angrily as I feel her displeasure and her anger. Looks like me and Blake aren't alone in opinion of Roy. "Alright, people. Listen up. The dynamic duo's on a case in Gotham, but Batman gave me a heads up." Arrow says as I see Sportsmaster's image pop up on the screen, I glance over and see Artemis's eyes widen slightly. "Sportsmaster was spotted coming from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport." Arrow continues as Zatanna speaks up.

"In full costume? Nervy." She says as we look at her. "What? It is." She defends herself as I chuckle. " He was in street clothes. Facial recognition software picked up the ID." Arrow continues as the camera zooms in on Sportsmaster's face. "Find out what he's up too." Arrow says as he turns to us. "All of us? Seems like overkill for a shadow job." Connor points out. "Perhaps a small squad. Miss Martian's camouflage abilities seem ideal." Red Tornado says but Green Arrow intervenes. "I thought that the side kicks, sorry ex-sidekicks could take this one. Aqualad, Kid Flash, Red Arrow." Arrow says as the said individuals smile. "Good, stakeouts make me crazy." Connor says as I scoff. "I want in." Artemis says out of the blue as she steps forward. "You know you don't have too, right? You came off a good night last night, you could use a break." Arrow says to her but I feel her desperation and anger, but the slight hint of pride at Arrow's praise. "No. With M'gann and Robin out, no one's logged more hours piloting the Bio-ship than me." She says with conviction. I narrow my eyes, something has happened, she is acting very weird.

When the squad was making their way to the Bio-ship, I intercept Artemis on her way there. "Ok, what's wrong?" I ask her as we stand in a shadowy hallway. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it." She says as she tries to make her way past me. I grab her shoulder and stop her. "I can fell your emotions...what's wrong?" I ask her. She scowls before releasing a breath. "Mom and I had an argument. I told her of my... insecurities with the team, with Roy and she said that the team would never turn their back on me which led to a heated debate about my secrets, my past etc. And now, seeing Roy here...it just brought all that back to the surface. I'm just worried that I'm not good enough." She says as I give her a comforting hug. "You never have to be worried Artemis, you are my friend and I trust you with my life...Roy is a pompous braggart who needs a kick up the arse...never doubt yourself because you are wanted here. You are our archer...and no one is going taking your seat at our table." I say to her as she smiles gratefully and hugs me. "Thank you, Matt. I really needed that." She says as I hug her back. "Don't worry about it...now get going." I say as she laughs and makes her way to the hanger. I hear a slow clap as I turn and see Roy walk out of the shadows. "Wow. That was adorable...almost makes me want to cry." He says as I glare at him. "Fuck off." I say as I walk away. "I don't know how you can even trust her. You know of her secrets, her true identity...and yet, you still trust her. You accuse me of being untrustworthy but yet, you claim to trust her with your life. Seems to be that you have double standards." He says as I turn around and push him against the wall. "I won't take any bullshit from you...I know why you are really here, you think that there is still a mole on the team...well I say bullshit. With my particular abilities, I would have found out if someone was a mole so your paranoia is unnecessary and quite frankly, an annoyance." I growl out as I drop him to the floor, while I lied about my abilities at finding the mole...he doesn't know that. "Quite honestly, you could be the mole. You are trying to create division within the group and pointing fingers towards Artemis. How do we know that anything you say is even truthful? How can we know that your friendships with Wally, Robin and Kaldur are even real?" I say mockingly to him as he gets up and growls in my face. "I would never betray them! You have no idea of the loyalty I have to them? I would never be a mole!" He shouts as I smirk. "Prove it. Trust Artemis with this mission, come back and tell me then if she is the mole...and it will only then that will I believe anything that you say." I say as he walks away. "I don't need to prove anything to you." And...that's your problem, you'll complain and whinge but when confronted about it, you'll avoid and bitch about it later. How the League accepted you as a member, I'll never know.

The squad had left for their mission, leaving myself, Blake, Connor, M'gann, Zatanna, Rachel and Red Tornado. I enter the common room and see that everyone is laying around bored out of their minds. "Hey guys. I'm gonna home for tonight. See you tomorrow." I say as they wave me goodbye. Rachel comes up to me and gives me hug before leaving.

P.O.V: Rachel Roth

Boredom. The bane of teenagers everywhere. I levitate myself above the ground as I chant my mantra. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos." I whisper as my power flows in a calm, gentle current. Like a peaceful creek...a beautiful river. Like a- BARK...suddenly it changes as my focus is lost. I fall on my butt as I open my eyes and see Wolf staring down at me. I narrow my eyes as I feel my energy get worked up. "Damn mutt." I whisper as he starts whimpering slightly, his ears drop as I sag my shoulders. I scartch the back of his ears as he groans in pleasure, tail wagging without a care. "Hey Rachel. Wolf giving you a hard time?" Zatanna says as she enters the room. "I was mediating when he interrupted. I was upset but I couldn't stay upset for long. His puppy eyes are evil." I say in monotone but Zatanna knew that I joking. M'gann and Connor enter the room as Wolf trails over to Connor. "So what do you guys want to do?" M'gann says as we walk to the zeta hanger.

"No offense guys, but even my boredom is bored." Zatanna says as we see Red Tornado doing something on the holo-computer. "Mediation is a usual go-to for me but even that is getting boring...even for me." I say. "Maybe taking the night off wasn't a good idea." M'gann says as Connor runs his head awkwardly. "Red Tornado. You got any good stakeouts for us?" He asks as the robot turns to us. "I do not. You must amuse yourselves." He drones as he lifts himself and enters his quarters. "That's Tornado's apartment, right?" Zatanna asks. "Of course." I say as she raises an eyebrow. "But Tornado doesn't eat or sleep, change clothes or well...anything." She says as Connor glances at her. "What's your point?" He asks as she looks at us. "So...what does he do up there?" She asks with a devilish smile.

P.O.V Change: Artemis

I wait within the Bio-ship as I hear Red Arrow's message. "He stopped. Hold your positions. I'm moving in for a closer look." I hear him as I tap my fingers of the ships controls. Matt said that he believe in me, while that's true...the team need more than just his word. I make my decision as I move in closer. I drop silently, a good distance away from Red Arrow as I move closer to Sportsmaster. I see him move to the train track as he just stands there. "Hey, sis..." My eyes widen as I turn and hear he voice of Cheshire. I load an arrow, look up and see her in the tree, I point the arrow at her. "Been a while...still haven't revealed who you really are to your friends?" She says mockingly as I grit my teeth. "Oh, did I strike a nerve?" She says sarcastically as she jumps down, sword in hand. I fire the arrow but she deflects it. She drops the sword onto me but I catch it with my bow and move in closer to her. I push her sword up as I maneuver my bow to flip her onto her back. She kicks me in the gut before hoping to a safe distance. "Neat trick. Canary teach you that one?" She says as I growl and load another arrow. "Bet you run out of arrows before I run out of sword. Unless you plan on breaking out the pointy ones, against your own sister." She says as I narrow my eyes. "Why shouldn't I? You are working with Sportsmaster!" I shout at her. I just see her eyes through the mask as they narrow at me. "Not my choice! Not my call!" I pull the bowstring back. "Then whose is it?" I ask as she tilts her head. "Sorry, sis...but you may keep your secrets...but mine are very precious to me." She says in a tone that confuses me...almost...affection...care? The fuck? I hear the whoosh of an arrow as I see a red one explode into a net that wraps Cheshire and ties her to a tree.

I turn and see Red Arrow approach us. "Well, good to see you again Red...while it would have been a nice date, I already have a boyfriend." She says as I widen my eyes. "Boyfriend? Him? Date? What the hell is she talking about?!" I scream at Red Arrow who just looks confused. "How the hell am I suppose to know?" I hear Cheshire chuckle as I turn back to her. "Deny the attraction all you want. But I prefer the ones that leave me...burning." She says teasingly. "After all, Arrow, you might be here but the one I'm looking for...isn't." She says which just makes me confused. What the hell is she talking about? She cuts the net as both myself and Red Arrow point out own bows at her. "I'm fond of you both, really I am. I couldn't bear to hurt you." She sticks her sword in the ground. "Much." She charges me as I fire an arrow, she dodges and sweeps my leg from under me. I hit the ground hard as I shake the dizziness. I look over and see Cheshire sitting on top of Red Arrow with a sai to his face. "You ain't my type. Maybe in a different life, perhaps." She says as she looks up and is barrelled by Wally. She skids across the ground. "And a sigh is still just a sai. And quite the souvenir, by the way." He says as I get to my feet and point another arrow at Cheshire. "Artemis! Tracer arrow on Sportsmaster! Now!" Red Arrow shouts at me as I holster my arrow and take out the tracer. I track Sportsmaster on the boat. "He's out of range." I say as Red shoves me out of the way. "Watch and learn rookie." He says condescendingly as he fires the arrow.

He runs down to his jetski. "You're abandoning..." I say to him as he turns his head back to me. "I'm prioritising...mostly because of you." He says as I hear a mocking chuckle. "Oh that's got to sting. He made the shot that you were too afraid to take." Cheshire says as Wally points her sai at her. Cheshire kicks her mask up and puts it back on, I growl at her comment. "Fuck you!" I shout as I fire another arrow.

P.O.V Change: Rachel Roth

We see Tornado leave via the security cameras. We look up at the apartment as Zatanna hovers herself and opens the door. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos." I say as black and purple aura surrounds me, I lift into the air as I slip inside the apartment. Connor lands behind me as the door closes. The room is...not what I was expecting. A Christmas tree in the corner with gifts underneath. Machinery and wiring, computer store banks line one of the walls. A light shines as we see a human figure draped by a red cloth on a table in the corner. "Is that what I think it is?" Zatanna says as I walk past her. "Probably." I say as I stand before the red drape. Myself, Zatanna and M'gann look at Connor who pulls the drape off.

We stare in shock at the reveal. A robot. He's building another robot...one without clothes apparently. My young mind doesn't need to see that. "So...is Red building a friend or?" Zatanna asks awakardly. We hear the door open as we see Red Tornado enter the apartment. "Perhaps you should ask Red." He says as he hovers back to the floor. "All right. What's with the new bod?" Connor asks as Red walks past him. "I am a robot. This is an android. He will serve as my alter ego, John Smith. And allow me to download my consciousness so that I may walk among humans. Interact and learn." He says as M'gann perks up. "I think it's a wonderful idea." She says happily. "Your approval is appreciated. But your presence is uninvited. Is this a sign of disrespect?" He questions with a hint of real curiousity in his voice. "Um, curiousity." "Boredom." "Perplexity." M'gann, Connor and myself say respectfully. "You know, he's cute. But if the goal is human interaction..." Zatanna starts as she chants a spell. The red drape is lifted and magically shifted into pants. "He needed really those...thanks." I say to her as she smiles.

P.O.V Change: None

After discussing their problems, the squad had picked up their mission. Artemis decided to find Cheshire and Sportsmaster solo, to try and probe her worth but they were prepared. Luring her into a trap, Cheshire exposed that Red Arrow had placed a tracer on Artemis's quiver. Now with both here, th heroes decides to try and capture both Sportsmaster and Cheshire. The fight pulled to be difficult for both sides but the arrival of Kid Flash was able to tip the scales back to the heroes.

Artemis had spotted a large red glow coming from another room. She barrels in and points her arrow at the occupants, only to stare wide eyed at seeing Klarion, Mallah, The Brain and Professor Ivo. "Freeze!" She yells but Ivo laughs. "Don't be absurd. With what we created tonight, I could simply-." Ivo starts but is stopped by the Chaos Lord. "Why waste such power on her? Do what she says. Freeze!" He says as red magic engulfs all the villains who become frozen statues.

Mount Justice: 3:22am, December 6th, 2010

The heroes return to the cave to tell the others of their mission. "Let me be clear. We failed. Though the Injustice League is in custody, their allies still scheme, and we have learnt nothing of their plans." Kaldur says to everyone par Matt and Robin. "Gee, wonder why." Roy mockingly points out to Artemis who steps forward angrily. "Hey! Who found out that Sportsmaster was working for Brain, Klarion and Ivo?" She questions Roy who is unfazed. "Yeah. Great Intel...except Ivo has been in Belle Reve the whole time. And the guards just checked. It's the real Ivo, not a robot." He says as he leans down at her. Wally barges in and pushes Roy away. "I'm getting really tired of you dumping on her all the time." He says as Roy holds up a tracer. "Her tracer, so? Cheshire ditched it." Wally says but Roy shakes his head. "No, Artemis ditched that, to send us on a wild goose chase." He says while pointing to one in Kaldur's hand. "She put this one on Cheshire." He says while holding up his. Wally turns to Artemis with a look of shock on his face. "Artemis? Are you that freaked out about Roy joining the team that you had to prove yourself by taking on the bad guys solo? Tell me I'm wrong!" He says angrily to her. She goes to say something but just sighs in defeat. "Well, nice going. What you proved is that you're insecure and selfish. Keep the sai. This is the real souvenir for the mission." Wally says as he throws the sai at her feet before taking the tracer from Roy. He walks to his souvenir room as Artemis hangs her head in shame. "So how will you betray us next time?!" Roy shouts at her but Kaldur pulls him back. "If making a mistake is a betrayal, then we all would be traitors. I must report to Batman...the rest of you, get some sleep." He says as everyone walks off.

Artemis gets a ping and pulls out her phone. She sees that it's a message from a number that she longed to forget. "Not too late to join the right side. Make your choice, baby girl or it'll be made for you." Artemis grits her teeth and throws the phone at the wall. She walks off to her room just as she feels rumbling. The mountain starts shaking as everyone runs out into the main hanger. "What's going on?" Kaldur says as Wally zooms out of the souvenir room. "The sword is gone...and what is making the mountain shake?!" He shouts as a fiery circle appears in the hanger. It expands which shoes Matt tumbling out, like he was thrown. The circle closes behind. "Matt!" Artemis shouts as she runs over and checks on him. He collapses to the floor as she sees all his injuries. He is battered, bruised, bleeding from multiple cuts. "What happened? Who did this to you?" Zatanna says as Matt opens his eyes. "Run...they're coming." He says as another portal opens as half a dozen demons, led by Kurse walk out. Everyone is completely shocked by their appearance. "Children? You have children as your friends? Adorable." Kurse says as Blake leaps forward to tackle him but Kurse barely moves. He grabs Blake with one hand and thrown deep into the mountain wall. The demons attack as everyone is overwhelmed as more demons come through the portal. Red Tornado tries to fight them off but they are relentless. Zatanna and Rachel work in tandem, using their knowledge of magic to keep them at bay. M'gann uses her telekinesis to throw demons away but their sulfuric bodies and spontaneous combustion are being to overwhelm her. Connor tries to batter them away, it proves successful...until Kurse walks over and backhands him away. Wolf tries to attack the powerful demon, but he caught and slammed into the ground, cracking the rock underneath him. Wolf whimpers in pain as Kurse kicks the enhanced wolf a good dozen metres. Kaldur, Wally and Roy uses their weapons, abilities and skills to great use but they too are overwhelm by the demons. Artemis gets up to fight but her hand is pulled by Matt. "Let them take me...it's the only way." He groans out in pain as Artemis shakes her head. "There must be another way." She says with tears in her eyes, she glances at Kurse who smiles as he approaches the duo. "You don't have a choice. Let them take me. Take this, call the numbers, trust them. You'll need their help." He says as he gives her his burner phone. She takes it as she is lifted by the neck and thrown away. Kurse stares down at Matt who stares back with tiredness and rage. "The Mother wishes to see you." Kurse says as he lifts Matt up and whistles a the demons. They all stop attacking as the retreat back into the portal. Blake gets out of his indent as he stares angrily at Kurse. He zooms at his max speed but the portal closes before Blake can reach them. The whole hanger is wrecked by the invasion. Everyone is battered with injuries from the onslaught of the demon horde. "What was that? Who was that? Where's Matt?" Wally questions fearfully as everyone sits and catches their breath back. "They took him..." Artemis whispers as she pushes herself up, tears sticking down her face. "They took him!"